Alternate-hand deadlocking mechanism



' Aug. 20, 1957 M. E. WILLIAMS EI'AL ALTERNATE-HAND DEADLOCKING MECHANISM Filed March 28. 1955 fig;

INVENTORS Paul H. Grevengaed BY Murray E/Vi/% Afforn ALTERNATE-HAND DEADLO cmo MECHAMSM Murray E. Williams and Paul H. Grevengoed, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to Dexter Industries, Ina, Grand Rapids, Mich a corporation of Michigan Application March 28, 1955, Serial No. 497,324

4 Claims. (Cl. 292245) This invention provides a door lock equipped with the deadlocking feature, and capable of being installed with the bolt in either of two positions 180 opposite from each other with respect to the reciprocating mechanism. The deadlocking function of the mechanism involves the blocking of the inward movement of the bolt in response to the position of a detector held in the retracted position by the presence of the keeper with which the lock cooperates. Under these circumstances, the bolt cannot be shoved inward with an instrument so as to effect an unauthorized entrance through the door. This general function is not new, and several arrangements have been developed for providing it. The preferred deadlocking mechanism with which this invention is incorporated is illustrated, described, and claimed in the application of Murray E. Williams and Paul H. Grevengoed Serial No. 496,693, filed on March 25, 1955. While the preferred form of this invention is illustrated and described in connection with this particular deadlocking mechanism, the invention is by no means limited thereto.

An important characteristic in most deadlocking mechanisms is the obstruction of the bolt movement through the interposing of a moveable member between the bolt and an abutment which is axially fixed with respect to the housing. This moveable deadlocking member, coupled with the equipment associated with the principal bolt and also the auxiliary bolt or detector, constitutes a considerable accumulation of working parts. The rotation of these components with respect to the housing while maintaining their operating relationship creates a considerable problem of mechanical design. This is the general problem to which this invention has been directed.

A very effective solution to this problem has been provided by utilizing a transverse abutment plate which is rotatably mounted within the housing, with this abutment plate not only serving as the axially fixed member against which the deadlocking mechanism can operate, but also providing a seat for the springs which control the bolt and the auxiliary bolt (or detector). In the preferred form of the invention, the rotatable mounting of the transverse plate is accomplished by providing lanced portions in the housing sections which are axially spaced anddisposed in such a manner that the transverse plate may be axially positioned between appropriate sets of these lanced portions. An important advantage of this arrangement is the ease of assembly of the entire mechanism. The bolt, deadlocking mechanism, and bolt stem may (if desired) be collected together in the manner of a sub-assembly with the transverse plate, with this organization then placed in engagement with the housing sections. Since the front plate receives the bolt in non-rotative relationship, it also becomes necessary to mount the front plate with freedom to rotate with respect to the remainder of the housing. This is accomplished by mounting the front plate on a sleeve having flanges parallel to and adjacent the front plate, with the sleeve embracing the two sections of the split housing. The housing and sleeve therefore assume a atent G 2,803,48l Patented Aug. 20, 1957 journal-and-bearing relationship, with the two alternative bolt positions indicated by the engagement of suitable detent formations on the sleeve with depressions or holes in the housing sections. The selection of the hand of the bolt may therefore be accomplished merely by grasping the front plate with one hand and the rearward portion of the housing with the other, and effecting the necessary rotation. As the detent snaps into engagement with its recess, a very noticeable feel is created which communicates this fact to the workman making the adjustment.

The several features of this invention will be discussed in detail through an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 presents a sectional elevation of a mechanism embodying this invention, with the bolt in the fully projected position.

Figure 2 presents the same mechanism as illustrated in Figure 1, with the bolt in the fully retracted position generated by the action of the manually-operated reciprocating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a top view of the mechanism as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 presents a view similar to Figure 3, but with the bolt rotated to a position opposite from that of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the plane 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the housing rotated 180 with respect to the bolt from the position shown in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing, a housing for the mechanism may be considered as formed by the opposite housing sections 10 and 11. A front plate assembly 12 completes the encasement of the mechanism. A sleeve 13 is provided with the flanges 14 and 15 which are fixed with respect to the front plate 16 in the conventional manner. The sleeve 13 embraces the forward portions of the housing sections 13 and 14, and maintains them in assembled relationship. At the inner extremity of the mechanism, the housing sections 10 and 11 are secured together through the action of the locking plate 17 having the deformable cars 18 and 19 respectively received in suitable apertures in the housing sections 10 and 11, and deformed after assembly to prevent withdrawal. In addition to the action of the sleeve 13 in maintaining the two housing sections 10 and 11, together at the forward portion of the mechanism, the sleeve 13 and the housing sections establish a journal-and-bearing relationship whereby the front plate may be rotated with respect to the housing sections 10 and 11. Preferably, the alternative positions of the bolt at 180 degrees from each other are given positive indication through the engage ment of the lanced portions 20 and 21 on the sleeve 13 with apertures as indicated at 22 in Figure 3 in the housing sections 10 and 11. The resiliency of the sheet metal members permits the sleeve 13 to be forced on to the journal provided by the forward sections of the housing members 10 and 11 in such a relationship that the lanced detent portions 20 and 21 will snap into engagement with the appropriate apertures when the desired position of the bolt is reached.

The illustrated lock is provided with a deadlocking mechanism controlled by the position of the auxiliary bolt, or detector, 23. This bolt is slideable with respect to the locking bolt 24, and carries with it a plate 25 in a groove 23a, the engagement of the plate 25 within the groove being in the nature of a pressed fit. A deadlocking member 26 is pivotally mounted on the bolt on a pin in the position indicated at 27 in Figure 2. This pin also provides a connection between the bolt and the stem 28,

' Number 496,693, and are not themselves a part of this invention.

'When the detector bolt 23 and the locking bolt 24 are in the relative positions illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the operation of the plate 25 will serve to maintain the deadlocking member 26 in the illustrated position. Inward movement of the detector member 23 with respect to the bolt 24 as the door comes into engagement with the keeper eventually creates a condition in which the detector member 23" is maintained inwardly while the bolt assumes a fully projected position. Under this condition,

and when the bolt is urged inwardly by an instrument.

inserted between the door and the jamb, the deadlocking member 26 is swung laterally to the point of bringing the surface 29 into engagement with the side of the central opening in the abutment plate 30 through which the stem 28 and the locking member 26 normally move in sliding relationship. Actuation of the retracting mechanism serves to straighten the locking member again in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 to permit retraction of the bolt, in a manner described in detail in the application referred to' above.

The pin 31, which is fixed with respect to the plate 30 and serves to position the detector spring 32, also slideably enters into a recessin the detector. The rod 33 is fixed with respect to the locking bolt 24, and is slide-ably received within the plate 30. Rotation of the front plate will cause similar rotation of the bolt, due to the nonrotative engagement between the bolt and the front plate resulting from the non-circular cross section of the bolt. Such rotation is transferred to the abutment plate 30 through the action of the interengaging members operating between the bolt and the plate 30 such as the pin 33, the pin 31, and any other similar components. These members provide for the change in relative axial position of the plate and bolt as the bolt slides, but maintain a fixed angular relationship about the bolt axis.

To permit the rotation of the plate 30 with respect to the housing sections 10 and 11, sets of inwardly-lanced portions are provided as shown at 34 and 35 on the housing section 10 in Figure 3, and 36 and 37 on the section 11. Suflicient space exists between the lanced portions 34 and 35, and between the portions 36 and 37 to receive the plate 30 therebetween.

Manual reciprocation of the bolt is obtained through the action of the radius arm unit generally indicated at 38. A driving slot 39 receives a manually-controlled member, and provides a coupling for the transfer of torque. A reciprocating member, or retractor, 40 is provided with a cam surface 41 at its inner extremity which cooperates with the pin 42 of the radius arm unit. The bolt may be maintained in its fully retracted position through the engagement of the discontinuity 43 with the pin 42, as shown in Figure 2. This particular portion of the mechanism does notform a part of this invention, and

is shown, described, and claimed in the application of Herbert Young and Paul H. Grevengoed, Serial Number 494,662, filed on March 16, 1955. A bearing plate 44 is positioned in the housing sections 10 and ll through the engagement of suitable projections as indicated at 45 and 46 withappropriately-located openings in the housing sections. The upper portion of the bearing plate 44 is formed in the shape of afork, and slideably receives the retractor member 40 inbearing engagement primarily with the surface 47. An L-shaped extension48is secured to the forward portion of the retractor 40 through the engagement of the portion 49 with a suitable opening in the member 43, followed by a sufficient deformity of the member 49 to prevent separation of the components, The.

portion of the member .8 which extends generally per pendicularly to the axis of movement of the bolt assembly is formed as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. An opening 50 is provided in this portion of the member 48 which receives the end of the bolt stem 28, which is laterally bent to prevent axial withdrawal of the stem through the opening 50. The shape of the opening 50, however, is such as to permit rotation of the stem with respect to the member 48 while still retaining engagement. The retractor member 40, and its forward extension 48, remain rotatably fixed with respect to the housing portions 10 and 11. Rotation of the front plate, however, carries with it the plate 30 and the bolt stem 28, which results in relative rotation between the bolt stem 28 and the opening 56. Figures 5 and 6 differ from each other in the fact that the housing portions 10 and 11 have been rotated 180 degrees while maintaining the front plate and bolt system in the same position.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is our intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as we are limited by the priorv art.

We claim:

1. An alternate-handed latch, comprising: an axiallysplit housing having opposite sections; a front plate assembly rotatably mounted with respect to said sections, said front plate assembly including a sleeve surrounding the end portions of said housing sections, said front plate assembly also having a bolt-receiving aperture; projection .means on said housing sections extending toward the axis of said housing and disposed to provide axially spaced abutments; a plate having a central aperture therein and received between said abutments for rotation with respect to said housing sections; a bolt slideably received in said front plate aperture, and having a stem extending rearwardly and slideably received in said central aperture of said plate; biasing means acting between said plate and said bolt to urge said bolt outwardly; means for maintaining a fixed angular relationship about the axis of said bolt between said bolt and said plate, said means providing for relative axial movement between said bolt and plate; and retracting means including a link rotatably connected to said bolt stem on the inward side of said plate.

2. An alternate-handed latch, comprising: an axiallysplit housing having opposite sections; a front plate rotatably mounted with respect to said sections, said front plate having an aperture; lanced projection means on said housing sections extending toward the axis of said housing and disposed to provide axially spaced abutments; a plate having a central aperture therein and received between said abutments for rotation with respect to said housing sections; a bolt slideably received in said front plate aperture, and having a stem extending rearwardly and slideably received in said central aperture of said plate; biasing means acting between said plate and said bolt to urge said bolt outwardly; means for maintaining a fixed angular relationship about the axis of said bolt between said bolt and said plate, said means'providing for relative axial movement between said bolt and plate; and retracting means including a link rotatably connected to said bolt stern on the inward side of said plate.

3. An alternate-handed latch, comprising: a housing; a front plate rotatably mounted with respect to said housing, said front plate having an aperture; projection means on said housing extending toward the axis of'said housing and disposed to provide axially spaced abutments; a plate having a central aperture therein and received between said abutments for rotation with respect to said housing; a bolt slideably received in said front plate aperture; and having a stem extendingrearwardly andslideabiy received in said central aperture of said plate;

biasing means acting between said-plate and said bolt to urge said bolt outwardly; means for maintaining a fixed angular relationship about the axis of said bolt between said bolt and said plate, said means providing for relative axial movement between said bolt and plate; and retracting means including a link rotatably connected to said bolt stem on the inward side of said plate.

4. An alternate-handed latch, comprising: a housing; a front plate rotatably mounted with respect to said housing, said front plate having an aperture; projection means on said housing extending toward the axis of said housing and disposed to provide axially spaced abutments; a plate received between said abutments for rotation with respect to said housing; a bolt slideably received in said front plate aperture, and having a stem extending rearwardly; means for maintaining a fixed angular relationship about the axis of said bolt between said bolt and said plate, said means providing for relative axial movement between said bolt and plate; and retracting means including a link rotatably connected to said bolt stem.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,756 Voight Dec. 11, 1945 2,613,094 Schlage Oct. 7, 1952 2,673,758 Schlage Mar. 30, 1954 

